Wally Buono’s legacy as a CFL coach has already been secured.
Buono’s legacy as a general manager will come under scrutiny this winter as he tries to repair the damage done to a B.C. Lions team that was mediocre on the playing field and looked to lack an identity in the dressing room.
Buono stated the obvious this week when he said the Lions weren’t good enough. Finishing 9-9, then being humiliated 50-17 by the Montreal Alouettes in a crossover playoff game, sent ripples through a proud organization.
“It’s not acceptable here,” said Buono, who won more games than any other CFL coach.
“If you don’t win there are issues, usually there are consequences. We are at the point now where we have to analyze where we are at, where we are going, and what do we do to make sure this team is lot more competitive, a lot more exciting, and wins a lot more football games.”
Some of those consequences have already been felt.
Head coach Mike Benevides, Buono’s hand-picked successor, was fired the week following the playoff loss.
To no one’s surprise, Buono confirmed veteran quarterback Kevin Glenn, who guided the team all season while Travis Lulay tried to recover from a damaged shoulder, won’t be offered a new contract.
The list of veterans who won’t be back includes cornerback Dante Marsh, defensive tackle Khalif Mitchell, punter Ricky Schmitt and linebacker Jamall Johnson.
Buono doesn’t absolve himself of blame for what happened. He can’t change the past, only try to affect the future.
“We are very disappointed in what occurred,” Buono told a news conference. “My job is to turn around and fix the issues.
“Did I make mistakes? Yes, I made mistakes. Would I redo some of the things that maybe I did? Yes. Was the intent to help this football team win? Yes.”
Buono believes the two most important cornerstones in building a winning team are the head coach and the quarterback.
It’s clear the search for Benevides’ replacement has started. The quarterbacking issue remains foggy.
The Lions traded for Glenn as an insurance premium against Lulay’s health. It’s a policy that didn’t pay off.
Lulay underwent shoulder surgery last November. He started the season on the injured list, worked his way back into the lineup, then ripped up the shoulder again on Sept. 5 against Ottawa, his only start of the season.
Injuries have resulted in Lulay starting just 12 of the last 36 regular-season games. He knows questions are swirling about his longevity and if he ever can be the same quarterback who was league MVP in 2011.
“Having been hurt each of the last two season, until I can stand in there week in and week out, withstanding hits and keep standing, those questions will be there,” Lulay said.
“That’s fine. That’s something I have to deal with.”
Lulay plans is to be healthy by training camp, but even that’s not guaranteed.
“There is so much uncertainty in sport,” he said. “I wish I could sit here and say I’m going to start every single game of the season next year but that is unrealistic.
“What I can control is giving myself the platform, the foundation, of a healthy body going in.”
There have been suggestions Buono’s presence makes it difficult for any head coach. Buono said he doesn’t meddle and his head coach has full autonomy.
“I was never more involved than when I was asked,” Buono said.
Yet, during the news conference, Buono spoke up when Lulay was asked if he might have to change his playing style in the future.
“I am going to encourage the coach to encourage Travis to be a quarterback, to be an aggressive quarterback,” said Buono speaking from the back of the room. “But there is times where he has to be a bystander.
“If the ball is on the ground, if it’s fumbled, is it worth sacrificing your quarterback? If the ball is intercepted, is it worth sacrificing your quarterback. I am saying it is not.”
Buono said he waited until after Grey Cup before asking permission to speak to coaches currently under contract to other teams.
He was asked specifically about Dave Dickensen, the former B.C. quarterback who is currently offensive coordinator with the Grey Cup champion Calgary Stampeders.
“I am going to ask a number of teams if I can have permission,” he replied.
Other names being mentioned as candidates include Hamilton Tiger-Cat defensive coordinator Orlondo Steinauer; former Hamilton coach Marcel Bellefeuille; one time head coach Paul LaPolice; and Montreal defensive co-ordinator Noel Thorpe.
The search could expand into the U.S.
“We are going south of the 49th parallel too,” Buono said.
“There might be candidates that are not part of our league that are a part of other leagues.”
One of the jobs of the new coach will be to change attitudes inside the locker room.
“We have to change the environment and the culture,” said Buono.
Buono’s ability to get the most out of his players on the field gave him credibility as a coach. His credibility as a general manager will be tested now as he attempts stop a franchise from sliding in the wrong direction.
“The offseason is about addressing the issues, not skirting them,” Buono said. “It’s about putting ourselves back in the position where you can compete, where you can improve, where you can be a viable contender for a championship.
“We have a lot of work to do. We have a lot of important decisions to make. And at the end of the day we have a lot of room for improvements.”
